(Uh...don't own the characters...just the stories within...like you didn't already know.)

Awkward and gangly I walked the streets barefoot and alone. I hated life. I didn't understand why I was here. Funny, not much has changed since then. I am staring up at the sky, walking in the sunlight alone and contemplating my life as I know it.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful

I was grateful to him for coming into my life. For once I was able to walk with my head high in the air as if to say "Screw you world. I AM something to somebody and I am no longer alone." That feeling was and still is the most wonderful feeling in the world. Everyone wants to be loved… everyone. We did everything together. We lived like the little family we were. Yes, there were times of struggle but since we had each other all of the bad things sort of just…fell away. It was magic how it all disappeared. It was such a comfort having him near. I wished that feeling could have lasted. From then on the years flew by and together we grew. We grew in our hearts; we grew in our minds; we grew with our bodies. Yes he became a man…and I…became a woman.

I was really self conscious about the way my hips flared and my breasts swelled to create an hourglass figure. In those days he made it a point to tell me that my "evolution" was beautiful everyday. I loved him for it and over time I started to believe him. He made me feel like I wasn't the dirty, malnourished, insignificant woman I thought I grew into. I was worth something.

Soon, we started school and overnight it seemed that I was vexed with popularity. I didn't know what to do with all of this attention. He did not saturate me with thoughts on the subject. He couldn't find it in his heart to offer one drop of advice. No, he just turned and walked away when other men would approach me. It's the one thing he is an expert at, walking away.

What does a starving child do when offered food? I too indulged myself in conversation, laughter and the idea that I was desirable and had a lot to offer the world and not just a lot to offer one man. Now, I wouldn't say that he is the possessive type but he is the jealous type. I realize that now. I know him well enough to tell that it bothered him but a part of me didn't care. The same way a part of him didn't care when he would leave me to wonder if he'd ever come back. It was my turn to show him that I wasn't the stray cat that I was some years ago. Nope, everyone loved me and he was going to see it and appreciate me enough never to leave me. I had intended to glue him to my soul. I was such an idiot.

Every year the academy sponsors a party to honor the recent graduates. I had already assumed that we would go together. Why wouldn't we? Side by side we had walked together this far and secretly I hoped it would always be this way. I hoped he wished for the same. Everyone knew about us. It wasn't a secret…but that didn't detour some from trying. A week before graduation I came home to a bundle of letters that had been shoved under my door. In utter shock I looked up at him as his hand tightened around mine, our fingers interlaced.

"What is all this?" I remarked knowing full well what the letters contained without having to read them. My plan had worked. He was fuming. His demeanor turned cooler than normal and he released me from his grip. I knew it bothered him but I kept playing the game. The game he had created and that I had been victim to all of these years. It was back firing and he didn't like it. With a sigh I bent down to retrieve the letters. I waited for him to come inside my dorm room before closing the door and locking it behind me.

Making myself comfortable on the floor, across from him, I started reading the letters silently to myself, in front of him, one by one paying close attention to his face. His expression never changed. The letters were full of nonsensical fluff as to why I should go to the party with the author…it seemed that all twelve of the letters were identical. The words on the paper didn't mean anything to me. There was only one person that mattered and he was sitting across from me.

I was amused with the affect that all of the fuss being made over me, the stray cat, was causing him. As I finished reading the last letter, I folded it and stacked the letters into a pile with a smile and a sigh of contentment. We sat in silence for a moment or two. I waited for him to speak but he remained silent. Grabbing the letters I shifted my weight to stand when I felt a hand clasp over my wrist. In surprise I looked at him and a feeling of victory spread through my veins like a wild fire. He was pissed…and all I could thing was think "I got him! Go me!" The words he spoke next will forever be etched into my mind. It skips like a broken record. Agony.

"I don't know what cha gettin' so excited 'bout. They only want cha for ya body."

I felt the blood drain from my face and I choked on the bitter taste of reality. It pleased him. He would not be out done in his own game. I swear I heard him laugh when my heart shattered at his feet.

I was outraged…after all of our years together…me feeling like trash…now I am trash with curves? I had made no progress!?!?! This can't be right. How could he say such a thing to me? His friend. His love.

I dealt with the realization that I was looked upon not as a person but as a body and I devised a way to use this newly found power to my advantage…if they wanted a body…they would get it and I would reap the benefits…Thus, a flirt was born. They would never see me cry.

Lazy? Puh-lease!

My captain says I am lazy. I beg to differ; I just have an unhealthy fear of physical exertion...it mostly afflicts my right hand. Writing is excruciating. He just doesn't understand. Yeah…that's it.

I never used to be that way. It wasn't until recently that this phobia developed. I soon realized that there was no need to stress myself out doing something that terrified me when there were plenty of men that would jump to do it for me. Sometimes all it takes is for me to bat my eyelashes a few times, smile, innocently touch my victim's hand and I am home free. I worked my ass off as a child, on up through school…all the way up until I became a vice-captain. They can't expect little 'ole me to work my fingers to the bone, all the time. Remember…they only want me for my body! Brains? What brains? I may not be able to beat Gin at his game but I can sure beat the other men at theirs….and besides…life should be enjoyed and that is just what I am going to do…right after my nap.

My dirty little secret

Some think I smile because I don't know what is going on, on the outside. In reality, I smile because I don't want them to know what is going on, on the inside.

Make that boy a man

I feel somewhat pleased with myself and my contribution to recruiting Captain Hitsugaya into the academy. I know talent when I see it! What can I say? He is way too smart and powerful for his own good…and…he is a cutie pie, too! Daily I am plagued by the urge to pinch his cheeks and run my fingers through his hair. I wasn't surprised when he floated up the ranks and now hovers right above me. ;)

My favorite moments are when it's just me and him in the office; two people finding it hard to break past the barriers of the stereotypes that cannot contain them. Sometimes when I look at him it is hard to believe that he still as young as he is. I once asked him how he got to be so clever. The only response I got was an icy glare my way and a dry statement. "Flattery will not get you out of work, Matsumoto." He didn't know I was being sincere.

I don't think he means to be cold. It is just how he learned to compensate for his youth. He earned his position…I don't see why he has to defend it. It's a shame he has to feel that way in my opinion. People suck for making him feel like he doesn't deserve what he earned.

I love to tease my captain. I love to make the color in his cheeks burn with embarrassment. It's one of my all time favorite pass times…but my intentions are benign and always carried out behind closed doors. I have the utmost respect for him and I wouldn't want to portray any other image to the outside world. I know he knows this; It's just understood.

One night leaving the bar I caught a glimpse of a boisterous crowd of men that were congregating around the pathway leading to my room. Rolling my eyes, I staggered forward, determined to avoid confrontation. It wasn't until I got closer that I realized that it was a group of captains and vice-captains carrying on…with my captain awkwardly standing in the middle. With a grin on my face I approached the group when a cool, brisk gush of wind gave me the chills. I could feel the tension in the air start to rise.

"Shh…you can't talk like that in front of Captain Hitsugaya. He's still a child after all. I'll bet he hasn't even kissed a girl yet." Someone shouted. I was too drunk to remember who. There was a burst of laughter and I saw my captain's eyes hit the ground and build with anger. It broke my heart.

His peers were teasing him for being who he is…in public…where anyone could hear. I immediately decided to silence the snickering once and for all as I walked up to the men. "Hey, guys, it's Rangiku. What's up girl?" Someone said, as if to signal the others to keep quiet in my presence. I know they had been talking about me. Men are so easy to read. Glaring past him and ignoring his question I took my captain by the hand and pulled him out of the circle.

"Where have you been? I have been looking everywhere for you. Gosh, you sure to do know how to break a woman's heart. You use me then lose me…is that it?" I exclaimed, voice louder and more emotional than it needed to be. I tried my best to be melodramatic…more like the bimbo I was portrayed to be.

"Matusmoto, what are you…" His stammered as his eyes tried to read my motives.

"No…I will not take anymore excuses. Come on, I am willing to let you make it up to me. This is your 'get out of jail free card'. You hear me? Are you listening?" I cut him off before he ruined my plan with his overly analytical words.

Still puzzled he decided to play along. I am sure he thought I was too drunk to even know who I was and what I was doing….but I knew. I knew very well.

Turning to face the group of men we had just abandoned I flashed them a smile. Pleased with the dumbfounded looks on each of their faces I put my arm around my pint sized captain and continued to my room. I invited him in for a bit and we discussed the week's occurrences. Nothing was said about what had just happened.

The men that were taunting my dear Captain would most likely spread rumors about us, my Captain and I, but I didn't care. It would get them to stop teasing. The innuendo of the Captain sleeping with me would be what it took for them to see him in another light. They would treat him like a man. I was willing to take that blow…I would be labeled as the bimbo who slept with her boss. Oh, well.

At the first sign of dawn he rose from my sofa and headed for the door.

"That was really sweet, what you did for me, Matsumoto." He said with half a grin. "But now the rumors are going to start flying."He is such a worry wart. I didn't care. I would do anything to help him out. I will always have his back no matter what!

"Aww…don't mention it…and if it's any consolation we could make the rumors come true, you know…when you feel you are up to it…I will make a man out of you yet." I said in a serious whisper, reaching up to brush his face with my hand. I waited for my words to sink in. A half of a second flat is all it took for him to turn his head away from me, slap my hand and blush. Damn, I am good! With that he turned and walked out…and with a sigh he said:

"G'night, Matsumoto."